Header: Courtesy of Nivek Remas
ANIML Steakhouse is a restaurant designed to feel like a proper night out, not just a place to eat. Samer Shaath and Kevin Chan, from Nivek Remas, focused on crafting a bold interior that does the talking before the food even arrives. The project ended up winning the Restaurant & Bar Design prize at the SIT Furniture Design Awards for its confident and moody approach.
Moody opens up the appetite
A lot of the atmosphere comes down to the surfaces and how they catch light. High-gloss wood panelling covers the space, so everything feels active as people move around. The ceiling is finished in gold leaf, bringing some extra richness to the design, and antique mirrors help make the space feel busy. Graphic marbles top it all off, giving the interior a stronger structure and stopping it from becoming too soft or overly romantic.
Bold décor and materials
Then there’s the layer that makes the interior pop: velvet, animal prints, and fringe. These details weren’t added to be subtle; they’re there to make the room feel bold, textured, and a little playful. Each element was chosen to fit the 1970s references the project leans on: Art Deco attitudes, Studio 54 energy, and that whole era’s comfort with glamour and excess.
The main feature is hard to miss: an upside-down bull clad in mirrors, suspended above the dining room. It’s dramatic and a bit strange, which is exactly why it works. It gives the room a focal point, it sets the tone, and it makes the space feel like it has its own personality rather than a generic “luxury” look.
To put it simply, ANIML’s interior design can be defined as a controlled mix of shine, reflection, strong patterns, and tactile finishes put together to create a restaurant that feels immersive, confident, and open to a bit of indulgence.
